Nuclear Power Warning for Blair

OPPOSITION politicians and environmental campaigners yesterday warned Tony Blair against giving his backing to a new generation of nuclear power plants amid cost and safety concerns.

They pointed to leaked comments from the Government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, in which he suggested that a levy on consumer bills may be needed to finance the plants.

The critics also cited research bythe nuclear waste agency Nirex warning that most of the sites for potential plants are threatened by climate change.

The Prime Minister – who is thought to favour the nuclear option for the long term – is due to announce a review of energy policy tomorrow.

Nuclear power met almost a quarter of Britain’s energy needs in recent years but that will fall to just 4% by 2010 if ageing reactors are not replaced